Two good home performances were just what we needed after home defeats to Salisbury and Rushden. In both defeats we starting the games really well and then folded when things started to go against us. The next game after these was away to table-topping Aldershot. We changed a few things and went there with a game plan that very nearly paid off. Some defeats can be acceptable – others not so. The two home defeats were unacceptable and we don’t want to see performances like those again. The Aldershot defeat was one of those that showed all the required effort and passion but we just fell short to a team who were better than us.
The Stafford game was a joy to watch. Steve Bull has just taken over and they had creditable draws against Halifax and Histon prior to their game with us. We played attacking, exciting, free-flowing football and should have scored at least one more than the 6 we managed. On Saturday they again got a decent draw away at Woking. Some cynics after the game suggested the only reason we won six nil was because Stafford were rubbish. This is something you have to get used to in football. I have lost count of the number of times people I know never seem to comment on your results when you are on a good run but the minute you have a defeat they can’t wait to ask how you got on! Or, like the other night, try to put you down by suggesting your win was more down to the opposition than anything you did yourself.
If Stafford were poor, it was because we made them look poor. Have a look in the matchday programme were it lists all the clubs’ record victories and defeats for the season. Nobody has had a six nil victory this season (apart from Forest Green on the same night as us) and nobody had managed to stick 6 past Stafford. So before anyone wants to suggest that the reason we beat Stafford so emphatically was down to them being bad, just remember that nobody else has managed to do what we did to them this season.
We took the Stafford performance into Saturday’s game against Grays and ran out deserved 1-0 victors. In fact, quite a few people commented that we played better than we had against Stafford. I have to say I thought we did play very well and actually controlled the game from minute one to minute ninety. Usually in a one nil win you tend to have a few nervy moments were the opposition decide to throw caution to the wind and you need some backs to the wall defending, but against Grays this did not happen. We were excellent going forward, never looked in any trouble defensively and bossed the midfield. All in all it has been a good week at the club. We now have to make sure that we have a good ending to the season.
One point to note about the Grays game was that due to a late injury, the fourth official was promoted to linesman, sorry assistant referee, and we were without a fourth official for the game. Not once did we miss him! There was no one to argue with, no one to step in and kick up a fuss if we had some banter with the opposition dugout and the substitutions were made so much faster as we weren’t waiting on somebody to fill a card in, for it then to be typed into an electronic scoreboard, and then have the substitute checked for sharp studs, jewellery and the like. I remember at the time fourth officials were introduced I didn’t think there was a need for them and this has only confirmed my thinking.
We have a stern test on Thursday night away at Stevenage. This is live on Setanta Sports so if you aren’t able to travel you can still catch the game on television. We will be going all out to keep up our recent good form.
Cheers
Neil
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